Dundee ice hockey player raped teenage girl he picked up from sleepover

An ice hockey player who raped a teenage girl he picked up from a sleepover has been jailed for four and a half years.

Darren Donaldson took advantage of the vulnerable teenage girl in Invergowrie near Dundee on August 4, 2022.

The now 19-year-old of Aberdeen denied the crime, insisting she had consented.

Donaldson claimed the girl and others had conspired against him.

The court heard Donaldson first met the victim, who was under the age of 16, through his friends and ice hockey teammates.

On the night of August 4, 2022, he attended at the house where the girl was staying but was refused entry.

Due to her level of intoxication, the victim was put to bed by friends a short while later.

Donaldson later collected the victim from the property and drove to The Shore, Kingoodie, Invergowrie, where he raped her.

The accused, who was 17 at the time, then drove the victim back to her friend’s house.

She woke up the following day and began having flashbacks before the matter was reported to the police.

Lord Scott said it appeared Donaldson still believed he had done nothing wrong.

The judge: “There is no victim impact statement, but it is well known the effects of rape can be severe and lifelong.

“Not merely causing ‘a bit of upset’ as you suggest when asked about the impact upon the victim.

“You maintain that she ‘ganged up’ with others to make up allegations against you… but the jury concluded otherwise.

“You seem to think you are the victim. The continuing support of your family is not a protective factor here.

“They do not believe you are guilty as ‘you are not like that’ – whatever that is.

“The jury decided you are exactly like that.”

Donaldson was put on the sex offenders list indefinitely.

He was further made the subject of a non-harassment order banning him from contacting or going near the victim for the next 15 years.

David Moggach KC, defending, earlier told the hearing that Donaldson can be “taken back from the brink” and rehabilitated to eventually be “a decent and upstanding citizen”.

He was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow on Monday, having earlier been convicted of rape.

Scotland’s Procurator Fiscal for High Court Sexual Offending, Katrina Parkes said:  “Darren Donaldson took advantage of a young girl who was incapable of giving or withholding consent.

“He will now face the consequences of his actions following this prosecution and conviction.

“We would encourage anyone affected by similar offending to come forward.

“You will be listened to and supported as we seek to secure justice using all the tools at our disposal.”